Nov 09
9
I Like to WHAT?
Work. Yes, you read that right. I didn’t always feel this way. Believe me. I worked very hard to get out of doing work when I was younger. My mother used to tell me that if I spent half the energy working on whatever task was at hand as I spent trying to get out of working, I would be finished, relieved, etc. (I keep wondering why the wisdom of listening to my amazing mother surpassed me as a youth?…and I find myself trying to teach the same principle to children in my home now…!) Nevertheless, I digress….
I have discovered the value of work (yes, I know I learned a little late on this one) since I have been married. My husband grew up working on a farm. From dawn till dusk and even after dark, his dad took him out with his brothers to work. Physical work is just a part of who they are, and valuing work has earned them the respect of many of their coworkers and colleagues through the years. His example of consistent work has helped me value this attribute.
Actually, the work that I enjoy doing may seem a bit out of the ordinary. I honestly enjoy hand washing my delicate clothing–feeling the cool water slosh on my hands, letting the soap bubbles pop on my fingers as I shift and turn and move the clothing around to make it clean. As I wash these few clothes by hand, I am reminded of women, generations before me, who washed all their clothing by hand in cool streams with handmade soap, and I feel gratitude for them and a kinship with them.
I also like the physical working with my hands when I cook. Though I knead most of my bread in a mixer (I love my Bosch), I do occasionally knead by hand or work the dough for noodles. I love the feeling of the dough–like earthen clay–squishing through my fingers and pushing the ball of dough with the palm of my hand.
When I am hand washing, cooking, or even when I am vacuuming, I am able to think, ponder, and receive insight through the blessings of work. So, yes, I do. I like to work. Thanks, Mom, for being patient with me. I am finally beginning to learn all the things you diligently taught me. 
